After an initial inquiry earlier this year, a formal rezoning application has now been submitted for the 1.8 acre Super-8 Motel site at the corner of Fraser and SE Marine Drive in East Vancouver (formerly known as the Blue Boy Motor Hotel).

The proposed plan for 725-747 Southeast Marine Drive, owned by Serracan Properties, is to rezone the existing CD-1 zoning to a revised CD-1 to permit a mixed-use development with commercial, residential, and community uses, including public open space. The proposal includes:

• four buildings, including:
  • one 22-storey building;
  • one 12-storey building; and
  • two 5-storey buildings
• approximately 368 residential units;
• 15,500 SF of retail space at grade;
• a 37-space childcare facility (4,760 SF);
• public open space on site;
• a total density of 3.98 FSR;
• maximum building heights from 59 ft. to 207 ft; and
• 377 vehicle parking spaces.

The application is being considered under the Sunset Community Vision. Serracan and the City of Vancouver held numerous open houses and public feedback sessions with the local community as part of an exhaustive preliminary planning and pre-application process.

A rezoning inquiry goes before City of Vancouver council next week for a site located at 1445-1455 West Georgia Street. The two-lot assembly is owned by Brilliant Circle Group, who acquired the two buildings in 2012/2013. The City’s policy report describes the 18,200 SF site as “unique and prominent due to its triangular shape and its location at the intersection of West Georgia, West Pender and Nicola Streets“.

It was reported in a Globe and Mail article earlier this year that the architect for the project is James Cheng.

The rezoning inquiry anticipates demolition and redevelopment of the two existing lowrise office buildings currently on the property into one landmark residential tower on what is arguably Vancouver’s most prominent ‘flatiron’ sites. The site is currently zoned DD and while not located in the West End Plan like some of the recent nearby proposals by Westbank and Bosa, City staff do appear to support a rezoning in principal. The height can only be considered because it falls under the Granville Bridge view cone limit, which is 515 ft; in addition, the site’s location on Georgia, a main arterial, also qualifies. Preliminary details include:

• a 44-storey residential tower
• a building height of 515 ft.
• 250,000 SF of residential density (13.7 FSR)

If Council gives its approval to move forward with a rezoning application, more design details will likely emerge next year.

Proposed Tower Height

The City of Vancouver is currently holding open houses for the proposed redevelopment of Langara Gardens, a 21-acre apartment complex at Cambie Street and West 57th Avenue owned by Peterson Group in partnership with Concert Properties. Peterson acquired the property in 2009 for $157MM. In 2013, they began a process to create planning policy to redevelop the site, which in its present configuration is predominantly built out as lowrise and townhouse buildings.

Today, initial concept plans are being presented to the public. Some common concepts include:

• retention of the four existing apartment highrises
• new residential buildings varying in height
• retention and enhancement of existing retail
• construction of a new daycare

One of three concept plans

Another concept plan